Ribbed unitary tiltable shelter



Feb. 6, 196s c. R. SEEGER mL 3,367,073

/ RIBBED UNITARY TILTABLE SHELTER Filed sept. 7, 1965 CHAR/ ES l?. SEEGER \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\w magy /vA/E/v Fig. 4 m w A NEY United States Patent O 3,367,073 RIBBED UNITARY TILTABLE SHELTER Charles R. Seeger, Fridiey, Minn. (324 Ironton St. NE., Minneapolis, Minn. 55432); and Robert J. Wennen, 529 W. County Road E., St. Pani, Minn. 55112 Filed Sept. 7, 1965, Ser. No. 485,267 13 Claims. (Cl. 52-66) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A unitary shelter for vehicles is described. The shelter includes an integrally formed cover portion having rib members extending from a high point outwardly to the front and back yielding an over-all clam-like shape. Apparatus for tilting the shelter to permit vehicles to be moved in place is also shown.

The present invention relates to a covering device, and more particularly it relates to a unitary shelter and covering device for automobiles, boats, and other vehicles.

The advent of many so-called two-car families and the increase in pleasure boating has created a problem of providing adequate shelter or covering for these automobiles and pleasure boats. Permanent garage stru-ctures are desirable as shelter for automobiles and boats, but are expensive to construct and maintain. Then, too, many dwellings are equipped with permanent type garages, but having insuiiicient capacity to shelter the additional automobile or boat. Such an existing permanent structure makes further building of permanent garage structures extremely expensive. inasmuch as it is desirable to protect automobiles and boats from weather conditions, it is desirable to provide a shelter structure to enclose them.

It is desirable to provide shelter covering for automobiles or boats near the owners home; hence, the shelter should be aesthetically appealing such that it enhances the appearance of the surroundings rather than detracting from it.

Since the second automobile or pleasure boat causes additional expenses to the owner family, a compact, durable, aesthetically appealing, shelter must be provided as inexpensively as possible.

Many attempts have been made to provide portable or folding shelters for covering automobiles or boats. These prior art attempts have uniformly been complicated in structure in that many different parts and assemblages were required. Additionally, they require foldable outer coverings, such as canvas, which lacks in durability. Such foldable outer coverings are readily susceptible to puncture, and tend toward weather rot and decay. This situation requires frequent replacement or repair of the foldable outer cover. Generally, such portable or foldable units are singularly unattractive in outward appearance. Many pleasure boats are provided with covers which attach directly to the boat, such as by snaps. This mode of covering is barely adequate at best, to keep the interior of the boat protected from the weather. Such snap coverings are difficult to install, and offer absolutely no protection to the hull of the boat.

A primary object of this invention is to provide an improved shelter structure.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel unitarily constructed shelter for automobiles and boats.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel ribbed structural arrangement which is formed in the shape of a unitary shelter, with the cover formed from a synthetic material for an improved shelter structure for automobiles and boats.

A further object of this invention is to provide an im- 3,357,5)73 Patented Feb. 6, i968 ice proved shelter structure having a minimal number of component parts.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a novel ribbed structural arrangement for the cover portion of an automobile shelter whi-ch is aethetically pleasing in appearance.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved shelter which is economical to construct and requiring only minimal maintenance.

These and other more detailed objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the detailed description thereof proceeds below and in light of the drawings, which form a part of this application, in which:

'FIGURE l is a perspective view of the unitary shelter illustrated in the partially raised position, and illustrates the ribbed structure of the unitary shelter cover portion;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the improved shelter and shows the forward and rearward rib structure;

FIGURE 3 is a side view with the Icover of the improved structure in a slightly raised position, and illustrates the hinged arrangement at the rear portion; and

FIGURE 4 is a front elevation view of the improved shelter and shows the ribbed structural arrangement at the forward portion.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the ribbed unitary shelter includes a pair of longitudinally extending support members 10 and 12 which are two inchby-two inch angle iron formed from quarter-inch metal stock for this embodiment. These longitudinal support members extend from the -rearward extremity 14 to nearly the forward extremity of the shelter. Each of the support mem-bers 10 and 12 are provided with a plurality of mounting holes illustrated at 16. The mounting holes 16 are provided to receive mounting bolts, which are imbedded in the base member 18. The base member ideally is a concrete slab, but can be the bare earth or other desired supporting material.

The unitary shelter cover 20 is formed of a synthetic material. For this preferred embodiment, a fiberglass sheet having a thickness dimension of approximately one-eighth inch is formed with downwardly extending sides 22. The thickness of the material can vary with the size of the structure, but for most applications a thickness of oneeighth inch to threeeighths inch will normally -be sufficient. Cover 20 is formed by heating a fiberglass sheet and forming it to a predetermined mold. Alternately, cover 20 can be formed by spraying fiberglass on the predetermined mold. These techniques are well-known in the art and will not described in detail. Other synthetic :material can be used, such as molded plastic, to form cover 26, or it can be from stamped metal, such as aluminum. The only requirement placed on the material is that it have sufficient strength to avoid bending and warping, and ideally should be substantially impervious to weather conditions. From a common high point 24 a plurality of forwardly and downwardly extending rib portions are provided. These ribs are in the form of an invert V respectively, and are arcuately formed in ever-increasing depth from point 24 to the forward extremity. For the preferred embodiment, five ribs, labeled 26, 28, 39, 32, and 34, are illustrated and utilized to provide the structural arrangement for giving strength to the forward portion of unitarily formed cover 20, and collectively define the shape of the forward portion of the enclosure. The number of ribs illustrated have been found to be structurally ideal for structures for covering automobiles and boats, but could vary for other shelter sizes. The inverted arcuate V-shaped ribs diverge uniformly toward each side of cover 20 from a center rib 30. The rearward portion can better be seen in FIGURE 2 and FIGURE 3, and will be described in detail below.

A pivotally mounted arm is comprised of elements 36 and 38. Member 36 is pivotally mounted at one end to side 22 at pivot point 40, and at the other end is pivotally mounted to an end of member 38 at pivot point 42. The other end of member 38 is pivotally mounted to support member at pivot point 44. The mounting arm at the other side (not shown) is similarly constructed.

A spring member 46 has one end 48 coupled to pivot point 42 and the other end 50 coupled to the rearward extremity 14. Another spring member l(not shown) is coupled in a similar manner to the arm arrangement at the other side. The spring members are under tension such that when the forward portion of cover is raised slightly, the springs tend to contract and assist in raising cover 20 to its open position. A stop is provided on each of the mounting arm assemblies to limit the pivotal movement when the arm members are aligned. The spring members are of sufficient strength to hold cover 20 in the raised position without other support, though a detent could be used. When cover 20 is lowered, the spring members rest FIGURE 2 and FIGURE 3 should be kviewed together for a clear understanding of the arrangement of the rearward portion 14 of cover 20. The reference numerals for previously described elements and portions are carried into these ligures. The top plan view of FIGURE 2 illustrates the forwardly and outwardly extending arrangement of ribs 26, 28, 32, and 34 from central rib 30. The rearward wall 62 is arcuately formed and downwardly extending from high-point 24. For this embodiment, point 24 is approximately live feet three inches above ground level, and is sufficient to clear so-called sport cars or boats. The height, of course, can be adjusted as desired for the type of shelter to be used. A pair of arch-shaped portions 64 and 66 extend outwardly and downwardly toward the rear of cover 20 from point 24. Channels 68 and 70 are formed with sides 22 by arch-members 64 and 66 respectively. This pair of arch-shaped portions provide structural rigidity to the rear portion of cover 20.

The cut-away portion 72 of the side view of FIGURE 3 illustrates the hinge 74 which is coupled to arch-support portion 64 at the rearward bottom extremity, and to support member 10. A similar hinge arrangement (not shown) is provided for mounting arch-shaped portion 66 to support member 12. These hinges provide the pivotal movement for cover 20 when moved into the raised position. For this embodiment, cover 20 is approximately seven feet in over-all width, and sixteen feet in over-all length.

FIGURE 4 is a front elevation view of the ribbed unitarily formed cover structure 20. The downwardly extending and arcuately formed rib members previously described are illustrated in another view.

The independent shelter has an over-all claim-like appearance, and the structure comprising the present invention is protectively superior to foldable or portable shelter devices. It can be seen from the foregoing detailed description of one embodiment of the subject invention, that the various purposes and objectives have been achieved in that an inexpensive, aethetically appealing shelter structure having a minimum of component parts and requiring minimal maintenance has been illustrated and described.

Having by the foregoing description set forth one specific embodiment of the present invention in considerable detail, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention thereto, inasmuch as many modifications and variations will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, such modifications as are within the spirit and scope of the following claims are contemplated by the present invention.

What is claimed:

1. In combination, a unitary vehicle shelter including an elongated unitarily formed cover shaped to fit over a vehicle and having a pair of oppositely disposed side portions of a length greater than the sheltered vehicle, with lower edges adapted to rest on a supporting surface, said cover including a plurality of rib portions for providing structural rigidity and defining the forward enclosure portion of said cover, each of said ribs in the form of an inverted V-member and forwardly extending from a predetermined high point, said lower edge adapted to rest on the supporting surface when said cover is down, said cover further including a pair of arch-shaped portions for providing structural rigidity to the rearward enclosure portion of said cover, each of said ar-ch-shaped portions arcuately extending outwardly and downwardly to said supporting surface from said high point for defining the rearward extremities of said cover, and said arch-shaped portions being joined at the rear end of said cover -by a downwardly curving wall member, said arch-shaped portions and said wall member defining the rearward enclosure portion of said cover, each of said arch-shaped portions joined to and forming a channel with a respective one of said side portions; supporting means adapted to be firmly fastened to said supporting surface, said surface forming a oor for the shelter; and hinge means coupled intermediate said supporting means and said rear end of said cover for permitting said cover to be swung in its entirety to a raised position to allow a vehicle to be placed on said supporting surface and to be lowered to completely shelter said vehicle.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said cover is formed from synthetic material.

3. Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said synthetic material is berglass.

4. Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said synthetic material has a substantially uniform thickness dimension.

5. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said cover is integrally formed as a unitary structure.

6. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the plurality of inverted V-members diverge uniformly from said high point on either side of a central one of said inverted V-members.

7. Apparatus as in claim 6 wherein there are ve inverted V-mernbers, said central inverted V-mernber formf ing arcuately forwardly extending and ever-increasingly deeper channels in combination with each of a first pair of adjacent inverted V-members, each of said adjacent inverted V-members of said first pair forming similar channels in combination with the associated one of the remaining pair of said inverted V-members.

8. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein each of said archshaped portions includes a rearward surface and a side surface joined at a predetermined angle at the outward extremities, each of said side surfaces curving outwardly and downwardly from said high point, and each of said rearward surfaces curving rearwardly and downwardly from said high point.

9. In combination, a unitary vehicle shelter including a pair of parallelly arranged support members, each having a predetermined length and disposed on a base surface, said support members vadapted to be securely fastened to said base surface; an elongated unitarily formed cover shaped to fit over a vehicle and having a pair of oppositely disposed side portions of a length greater than the support members, with lower edges adapted to rest on said base surface, said cover including a plurality of rib portions for providing structural rigidity and defining the forward enclosure portion of said cover, each of said ribs in the form of an inverted V-member and forwardly extending from a predetermined high point, said cover further including a pair of arch-shaped portions for providing structural rigidity to the rearward enclosure portion of said cover, each of said arch-shaped portions arcuately extending outwardly and downwardly to said base surface from said high point for defining the rearward extremities of said cover, and said arch-shaped portions being joined at the rear end of said cover by a downwardly extending wall member, said arch-shaped portions and said wall member defining the rearward enclosure portion of said cover, each of said arch-shaped portions joined with respective ones of said side portions; hinge means coupled intermediate said support members and respective ones of said arch-shaped portions for permitting said cover to be swung in its entirety to a raised position to allow a vehicle to be placed under said cover and to be lowered to completely shelter said vehicle; first and second arm members, each of said arm members having first and second members rotatably joined together at a first end and having second ends respectively coupled to an associated one of said support members and to a respective one of said side portions; and raising means coupled intermediate said cover and at least one of said support members for assisting in raising said cover to permit access to the shelter.

10. Apparatus as in claim 9 wherein said cover is formed from synthetic material having a substantially uniform thickness.

11. Apparatus as in claim 9 wherein the plurality of inverted V-members diverge uniformly from said high point on either side of a central one of said inverted V- members.

12. An integrally formed cover for use as a shelter for vehicles comprising an elongated unitarily formed cover shaped to fit over a vehicle and having a pair of oppositely disposed side portions of a length greater than said vehicle, with lower edges adapted to rest on a supporting surface, said cover including a plurality f rib portions for providing structural rigidity and dening the forward enclosure portion of said cover, each of said ribs in the form of an inverted V-Inember and forwardly extending from a predetermined high point, said cover further including a pair of corner portions for providing structural rigidity to the rearward enclosure portion of said cover, each of said corner portions extending outwardly and downwardly to said supporting surface from said high point for defining the rearward extremities of said cover, and said corner portions being joined at the rear end of said cover by a downwardly extending wall member, said corner portions and said Wall member defining the rearward enclosure portion of said cover, and each of said corner portions joined to a respective one of said side portions.

v13. Apparatus as in claim 12 wherein the plurality of inverted V-members diverge uniformly from said high point on either side of a central one of said inverted V- members.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,078,222 11/1913 Summa 52-630 X 1,907,268 5/1933 Schwemlein 52'-82 X 3,017,721 1 1/1962 Wasserman 52-66 X 3,258,886 7/1966 Button 52-66 X FOREIGN PATENTS 573,407 2/1958 Italy.

826,792 l/ 1952 Germany.

830,697 2/1952 Germany.

846,458 8/ 1952 Germany.

667,735 3/ 1952 Great Britain.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

CHARLES G. MUELLER, Assistant Examiner. 

